University of Waterloo, Combinatorics and Optimization

Fellowship ID:

uWaterloo-PDF [#27648]

Fellowship Title:

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Graph Theory

Fellowship Type:

Postdoctoral

Fellowship Location:

Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1, Canada

Subject Area:

Graph Theory

Appl Deadline:

2025/12/15 11:59PM help popup

(posted 2025/11/12, listed until 2026/05/12)

Fellowship Description:

The Department of Combinatorics and Optimization at the University of Waterloo invites applications from qualified candidates for one 2-year postdoctoral fellowship appointment in graph theory under the joint supervision of Dr. Luke Postle (University of Waterloo) and Dr. Michelle Delcourt (Toronto Metropolitan University). The primary focus of this position is in the area of probabilistic and extremal design theory (broadly construed to include topics such as Hamilton cycles, graph/hypergraph decompositions, embeddings, matchings, Latin squares, Steiner systems, etc.); the postdoctoral fellow will be expected to work on joint projects that broaden and extend the recent progress of Professors Delcourt and Postle in this area.

Expertise in extremal combinatorics, probabilistic combinatorics, or structural graph theory is desired. In particular, familiarity with some (or all) of the following topics is preferred: designs, absorbers, graph decompositions, the probabilistic method, graph coloring, nibble, concentration inequalities. Familiarity with the following will also be considered desirable: graph algorithms, discharging, optimization, spread distributions, expanders, hypergraph containers, Ramsey theory, differential equation method, Dirac-type problems.

A Ph.D. degree and evidence of excellence in research are required. Successful applicants are expected to maintain an active program of research. The annual salary is $65,000. In addition, a travel fund of $3000 per year is provided. The effective date of appointment is September 1, 2026 - August 31, 2028. However, dates are negotiable. There is a possibility for a third year extension subject to productivity and funding. This position is physically based at the University of Waterloo, and as this is a research focused position, there is no required teaching load for this position.

Interested individuals should apply using the MathJobs site (https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/list/27648). Applications should include a cover letter describing their interest in the position, a curriculum vitae, a research statement, and at least three reference letters.

Inquiries may be addressed to Luke Postle, Full Professor, Department of Combinatorics and Optimization, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1. The deadline for application is December 15, 2025.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office (https://uwaterloo.ca/human-rights-equity-inclusion/indigenousinitiatives).

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Luke Postle, at lpostle@uwaterloo.ca.

If you have any questions regarding the position, the application process, assessment process, or eligibility, please contact Luke Postle at lpostle@uwaterloo.ca.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Three reasons to apply: https://uwaterloo.ca/faculty-association/why-waterloo.

Application Materials Required:

Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:

Cover letter
Curriculum Vitae
Research statement
Three or more reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )

And anything else requested in the fellowship description.

Further Info:

math.uwaterloo.ca/co/

Department of Combinatorics and Optimization
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3G1
CANADA